Asparagus, or garden asparagus, scientific name Asparagus officinalis, is a spring vegetable, a flowering perennial plant species in the genus Asparagus. It was once classified in the lily family, like the related Allium species, onions and garlic, but the Liliaceae have been split and the onion-like plants are now in the family Amaryllidaceae and asparagus in the Asparagaceae. Asparagus officinalis is native to most of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia, and is widely cultivated as a vegetable crop.

Planting & CareYou locate your asparagus plants on a walk where you know you will find them. Here in Tuscany they will be in the asparagaie - a whole area known to the locals, and me, where asparagus grows everywhere.

Sunlight: Part shade

Soil: well drained soil

Water: Medium

Temprature: 12c

Fertilizer: Apply any organic fertilizer

Care:

Plant them, one by one, in garden center container cells and keep them watered.

Don t forget them while all the other plants come out and do their thing.

Asparagus shoots are slow performers! Erotically so.

Water daily Prepare the soil outdoors after ten weeks; till it and add grit or sand if it is clay like.

Humus will lighten it too.

Special Feature:Asparagus densiflorus, commonly called asparagus fern, is noted for its dense fern-like foliage which forms an arching mound that matures to 1-3’ tall spreading to 3-4’ wide. It is not a fern, however, but is a member of the asparagus family. It is native primarily to coastal areas in the southeastern part of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.UseOrnamental use:

Garden UsesWhere winter hardy, it may be grown in borders or along foundations.